Method and device for controlling a freezing phase in a single-control combined refrigeration appliance, and related refrigeration appliance

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling a freezing phase in a single-control combined type refrigeration appliance, includes turning on a compressor and monitoring a refrigerator temperature of a refrigerator compartment and an evaporator temperature of an evaporator associated with the refrigerator compartment and an adjacent freezer compartment. If the refrigerator temperature is greater than an upper refrigerator threshold, a fan in fluidic communication between the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment is turned on until said refrigerator temperature is less than a lower refrigerator threshold, whereupon said fan is turned off. If the evaporator temperature is less than a lower evaporator threshold, said fan is turned on. If the evaporator temperature is greater than an upper evaporator threshold and the refrigerator temperature is less than the lower refrigerator threshold, said fan is turned off. The method further includes deactivating said freezing phase after a given time has elapsed following said activation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a freezing phase in a single-control combined refrigeration appliance, and to a related refrigeration appliance.

BACKGROUND

A single-control combined refrigeration appliance is provided with at least one refrigerator compartment (also commonly called “fresh” compartment, with a normal internal temperature of approx. +4° C.) and at least one freezer compartment for freezing food and preserving frozen food; it is also provided with a single refrigeration circuit with a single compressor; it has a temperature sensor detecting only the temperature in the refrigerator compartment only, and not that in the freezer compartment, and an evaporator temperature sensor, which is used for controlling the defrosting operation; it is provided with a fan adapted to blow cold air into the refrigerator compartment from the freezer compartment when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment exceeds a threshold. It is to be understood, therefore, that the field of application of the invention refers to such a refrigeration appliance.

A method for controlling such a single-control combined refrigerator is known wherein activation of the compressor occurs following a cold request generated by the refrigerator compartment when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment exceeds a threshold. The temperature in the freezer compartment is not detected, and therefore it does not affect the compressor on/off control.

A drawback of this method is that it is not effective in executing the process of freezing foods or other substances that are inserted into the freezer compartment at room temperature. Since there is no direct control of the temperature in the freezer compartment, this process cannot be optimized, resulting in a time-consuming, energy-consuming or incomplete freezing process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and a device for controlling a freezing phase in a single-control combined refrigeration appliance, and a related refrigeration appliance that can overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks are disclosed.

The method and device provide, in single-control combined refrigerators, a cycle called “super freezer”, which speeds up the cooling of foods inserted in the freezer compartment. Said cycle can be activated by the user via a user interface.

Said cycle may also take into account the temperature reduction requests coming from the refrigerator compartment. It may also take into account the fact that in both compartments the temperature can be lower than a given threshold.

The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a freezing phase in a refrigeration appliance of the single-control combined type, said refrigeration appliance comprising at least one refrigerator compartment, at least one freezer compartment, a single compressor, a temperature sensor detecting only the temperature in the refrigerator compartment, a temperature sensor detecting the temperature of the evaporator of the refrigeration circuit, a fan, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

-   -   activating said freezing phase;     -   the compressor is consequently turned on (Cps=on);     -   if the temperature in the refrigerator compartment T_(fg)>T5,         then said fan is turned on (Fz fan=ON); when said temperature in         the refrigerator compartment T_(fg)<T4, then said fan is turned         off (Fz fan=OFF);     -   if the temperature of the evaporator T_(evap)<T1, then said fan         is turned on (Fz fan=ON);     -   if the temperature of the evaporator T_(evap)>T2, and T_(fg)<T4,         then said fan is turned off (Fz fan=OFF);     -   if the temperature in the refrigerator compartment T_(fg)<T3,         then said compressor is turned off (Cps=off), with         T5>T4>T3>T2>T1;     -   deactivating said freezing phase after a given time has elapsed         following said activation.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a freezing phase in a single-control combined type refrigeration appliance includes activating said freezing phase. The freezing phase includes turning on a compressor and monitoring a refrigerator temperature of a refrigerator compartment and an evaporator temperature of an evaporator associated with the refrigerator compartment and an adjacent freezer compartment. If the refrigerator temperature is greater than an upper refrigerator threshold, a fan in fluidic communication between to the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment is turned on until said refrigerator temperature is less than a lower refrigerator threshold, whereupon said fan is turned off. If the evaporator temperature is less than a lower evaporator threshold, said fan is turned on. If the evaporator temperature is greater than an upper evaporator threshold and the refrigerator temperature is less than the lower refrigerator threshold, said fan is turned off. The method further includes deactivating said freezing phase after a given time has elapsed following said activation.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a device for controlling a freezing phase in a single-control combined type refrigeration appliance includes a controller implementing a freezing phase in the refrigeration appliance. The freezing phase includes turning on a compressor and monitoring a refrigerator temperature of a refrigerator compartment and an evaporator temperature of an evaporator associated with the refrigerator compartment and an adjacent freezer compartment. If the refrigerator temperature is greater than an upper refrigerator threshold, a fan in fluidic communication between the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment is turned on until said refrigerator temperature is less than a lower refrigerator threshold, whereupon said fan is turned off. If the evaporator temperature is less than a lower evaporator threshold, said fan is turned on. If the evaporator temperature is greater than an upper evaporator threshold and the refrigerator temperature is less than the lower refrigerator threshold, said fan is turned off. The freezing phase further includes deactivating said freezing phase after a given time has elapsed following said activation.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium includes a recorded program and program coding means implementing a freezing phase in a refrigeration appliance when said program is executed on a computer. The freezing phase includes turning on a compressor and monitoring a refrigerator temperature of a refrigerator compartment and an evaporator temperature of an evaporator associated with the refrigerator compartment and an adjacent freezer compartment. If the refrigerator temperature is greater than an to upper refrigerator threshold, a fan in fluidic communication between the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment is turned on until said refrigerator temperature is less than a lower refrigerator threshold, whereupon said fan is turned off. If the evaporator temperature is less than a lower evaporator threshold, said fan is turned on. If the evaporator temperature is greater than an upper evaporator threshold and the refrigerator temperature is less than the lower refrigerator threshold, said fan is turned off. The freezing phase further includes deactivating said freezing phase after a given time has elapsed following said activation.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a method and a device for controlling a freezing phase in a single-control combined refrigeration appliance, and a related refrigeration appliance, as set out in the claims, which are an integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an example of embodiment thereof and from the annexed drawings, which are only supplied by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of the method of the invention, according to a first variant thereof;

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the method of the invention, according to a second variant thereof;

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of the method of the invention, according to a third variant thereof.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals and letters identify the same items or components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A method for controlling a freezing phase in a single-control refrigeration appliance is such that it creates a freezing cycle, which may be called a “super-freezer” cycle, aimed at speeding up the process of lowering the temperature of food placed in the freezer compartment, e.g. from room temperature to a target temperature of −18° C., for example.

With reference to FIG. 1, when the freezing cycle is activated (START SF) by the user, at the cycle start instant (t=0 h) the compressor is turned on (Cps=ON).

Said fan is then turned off (Fz fan=OFF) to stop air circulation from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment, so as to not lose any cold from the freezer compartment.

A possible request for a temperature reduction from the refrigerator compartment, also referred to as Cold Request, is then preferably monitored for (FIG. 2). Such a request may occur in a per se known manner, based on the temperature T_(fg) in the refrigerator compartment, as detected by the temperature sensor provided in the refrigerator compartment, In an example, the Cold Request is activated (FG CR=ON) when the temperature T_(fg) rises above a threshold T5 and stays on until the temperature T_(fg) falls below a threshold T4. As long as the request remains active (FG CR=ON), the cycle duration is continuously monitored, while keeping the fan turned on (Fz fan=on). When said request stops, i.e. when the condition (FG CR=ON) is no longer verified, the fan is turned off.

The “super-freezer” freezing cycle may have a predetermined duration, e.g. 24 h. The cycle checks that said duration is not exceeded (t>24 h); if it is, the cycle will end (End SF) automatically. Otherwise, the cycle will continue.

Afterwards, the fan is turned off (Fz fan=off), so that no cooling air will circulate from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment.

The state of the fan normally depends on the request for a temperature reduction in the refrigerator compartment.

At this point the cycle may check again that its duration has not been exceeded (t>24 h), in which case the cycle will end (End SF) automatically. Otherwise, the cycle will continue. In addition (as shown in FIG. 2), a possible temperature reduction request from the refrigerator compartment may be monitored for. If such a request is active (FG CR=ON), the operating scheme will cause the fan to be turned on, thus returning to the step (Fz fan=on) of the cycle; the fan will stay on as long as said request remains active, i.e. as long as (FG CR=ON), and then the cycle will continue.

The cycle will go on for the predetermined duration on condition that the temperature of the evaporator T_(evap) does not fall below a lower threshold T1 (NO result of the “T_(evap)<T1 ?” test) instead, if the temperature of the evaporator T_(evap) falls below a lower threshold (T_(evap)<T1), then the fan will be turned on (Fz fan=on) and air will be circulated from the freezer to the refrigerator in order to prevent the evaporator from operating at an excessively low temperature, as this would cause the generation of excessive frost on the evaporator. In this case, the cycle may afterwards check (FIG. 3) if the temperature in the refrigerator compartment T_(fg)<T3 (i.e. if the temperature in the refrigerator compartment T_(fg) has become too low) such that said compartment could not tolerate any further temperature reduction, for the purpose of preventing icing.

If T_(fg)<T3, it means that the refrigeration appliance is in a condition wherein it is advantageous to not accumulate any additional cold neither in the refrigerator compartment nor in the freezer compartment, and hence the compressor will be turned off (Cps=off); otherwise, it will remain on.

Then, when the temperature of the evaporator T_(evap) exceeds a threshold T2>T1 (T_(evap)>T2), the fan will be turned off (returning to Fz fan=off).

Otherwise, the cycle will continue for its maximum duration (t>24 h), after which it will end (End SF) automatically and the compressor will be turned off.

In summary, the steps of the method of the invention are the following:

-   -   user command that activates the function;     -   the compressor is consequently turned on;     -   if T_(fg)>T5, then the fan is preferably turned on (Fz fan ON);         when T_(fg)<T4, then the fan is preferably turned off (Fz         fan=OFF);     -   if T_(evap)<T₁, then the fan is turned on (Fz fan ON);     -   if T_(evap)>T₂ and T_(fg)<T4, then the fan is turned off (Fz fan         OFF);     -   if T_(fg)<T3, then the compressor is preferably turned off         (Cps=off);     -   T5>T4>T3>T2>T1.

In a non-limiting sense, some possible values of the temperature thresholds may be as follows:

-   -   T1: −38° C.     -   T2: −34° C.     -   T3: +0.5° C.     -   T4: +3° C.     -   T5: +6° C.

One example of embodiment of the device of the invention comprises a circuit that implements the steps of the method, which circuit is inserted into a single-control combined refrigeration appliance comprising the above-defined elements.

Said circuit may comprise per se known elements as described above, and also a computer program comprising coding means for implementing one or more steps of the method when said program is executed by a computer. It is therefore understood that the protection scope extends to said computer program as well as to computer-readable means that comprise a recorded message, said computer-readable means comprising program coding means for implementing one or more steps of the method when said program is executed by a computer.

The above-described example of embodiment may be subject to variations without departing from the protection scope of the present invention, including all equivalent designs known to a man skilled in the art.

The elements and features illustrated herein may be combined together without however departing from the protection scope of the present invention.

The advantages deriving from the application of the present invention are apparent.

It substantially speeds up the cooling of the foods inserted in the freezer compartment in a simple and low-cost manner.

From the above description, those skilled in the art will be able to produce the object of the invention without introducing any further construction details. 

1. A method for controlling a freezing phase in a single-control combined type refrigeration appliance, comprising: activating said freezing phase, including: turning on a compressor; monitoring a refrigerator temperature of a refrigerator compartment and an evaporator temperature of an evaporator associated with the refrigerator compartment and an adjacent freezer compartment; if the refrigerator temperature is greater than an upper refrigerator threshold, turning on a fan in fluidic communication between the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment until said refrigerator temperature is less than a lower refrigerator threshold, whereupon said fan is turned off; if the evaporator temperature is less than a lower evaporator threshold, turning on said fan; if the evaporator temperature is greater than an upper evaporator threshold and the refrigerator temperature is less than the lower refrigerator threshold, turning off said fan; deactivating said freezing phase after a given time has elapsed following said activation.
 2. The control method of claim 1, wherein, after said step of turning on the compressor, turning off the fan if the temperature in the refrigerator compartment is less than a predetermined minimum refrigerator temperature.
 3. A device for controlling a freezing phase in a single-control combined type refrigeration appliance, comprising: a controller implementing a freezing phase in the refrigeration appliance, including: turning on a compressor; monitoring a refrigerator temperature of a refrigerator compartment and an evaporator temperature of an evaporator associated with the refrigerator compartment and an adjacent freezer compartment; if the refrigerator temperature is greater than an upper refrigerator threshold, turning on a fan in fluidic communication between the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment; until said refrigerator temperature is less than a lower refrigerator threshold, whereupon said fan is turned off; if the evaporator temperature is less than a lower evaporator threshold, turning on said fan; if the evaporator temperature is greater than an upper evaporator threshold and the refrigerator temperature is less than the lower refrigerator threshold, turning off said fan; deactivating said freezing phase after a given time has elapsed following said activation.
 4. A single-control combined type refrigeration appliance, comprising: a device as claimed in claim 3, executing the freezing phase therein; the refrigerator compartment; the freezer compartment; the evaporator; the compressor associated with the evaporator; an evaporator temperature sensor, detecting the evaporator temperature of the evaporator; and a refrigerator temperature sensor, detecting the refrigerator temperature within the refrigerator.
 5. (canceled)
 6. A computer-readable medium, comprising: a recorded program and program coding means implementing a freezing phase in a refrigeration appliance when said program is executed on a computer, the freezing phase including: turning on a compressor; monitoring a refrigerator temperature of a refrigerator compartment and an evaporator temperature of an evaporator associated with the refrigerator compartment and an adjacent freezer compartment; if the refrigerator temperature is greater than an upper refrigerator threshold, turning on a fan in fluidic communication between the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment; until said refrigerator temperature is less than a lower refrigerator threshold, whereupon said fan is turned off; if the evaporator temperature is less than a lower evaporator threshold, turning on said fan; if the evaporator temperature is greater than an upper evaporator threshold and the refrigerator temperature is less than the lower refrigerator threshold turning said fan; deactivating said freezing phase after a given time has elapsed following said activation.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the upper refrigerator threshold is greater than the lower refrigerator threshold, which is greater than the upper evaporator threshold, which is greater than the lower evaporator threshold.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the freezing phase is carried out without monitoring a temperature within a freezer associated with the compressor.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the compressor operates in conjunction with the evaporator to cool an air mass present within the freezer compartment.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the upper evaporation threshold is about −34 degrees, Celsius, and the lower evaporation threshold is about −38 degrees, Celsius.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the upper refrigerator threshold is about 6 degrees, Celsius, and the lower refrigeration threshold is about 3 degrees, Celsius.
 12. The device of claim 3, wherein the freezing phase is carried out without monitoring a temperature within a freezer associated with the compressor.
 13. The device of claim 4, wherein the compressor is associated with the evaporator so as to operate in conjunction therewith to cool an air mass present within the freezer compartment.
 14. The device of claim 3, wherein the freezing phase further includes, after turning on the compressor, turning off the fan if the temperature in the refrigerator compartment is less than a predetermined minimum refrigerator temperature.
 15. The device of claim 3, wherein the upper refrigerator threshold is greater than the lower refrigerator threshold, which is greater than the upper evaporator threshold, which is greater than the lower evaporator threshold.
 16. The computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein the freezing phase is carried out without monitoring a temperature within a freezer associated with the compressor.
 17. The computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein when in the freezing phase, the compressor is operated in conjunction with the evaporator to cool an air mass present within the freezer compartment.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein the freezing phase further includes, after turning on the compressor, turning off the fan if the temperature in the refrigerator compartment is less than a predetermined minimum refrigerator temperature.
 19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the upper refrigerator threshold is greater than the lower refrigerator threshold, which is greater than the upper evaporator threshold, which is greater than the lower evaporator threshold. 